On the effective lattice parameter of binary alloys

A study of the effective lattice parameter in binary alloys is given based on an analysis of the volume change produced by dilute resolution of the solute atoms in the solvent matrix. An apparent size of the solute atom is incorporated in the analysis to approximately account for the electronic interactions between the outermost quantum shells of the solute and solvent atoms. The comparison with experimental data for various alloy systems and deviations from Vegard’s law are analyzed. The free energy of binary alloys and the ordering of solute atoms at higher solute concentrations are then discussed.